Monday Presser: Addazio Introduced to Border War

There is 110 years of history behind the Border War, but for Steve Addazio, this is his first chapter.

It doesn't take long for a first-year coach to find out which games on the schedule get the heart pumping for a fan base, and at Colorado State, that game is Wyoming.

"Obviously the proximity of these two teams are so close, the rivalry has gone on so long and the intensity of the rivalry, whether it's in the community, whether it's from donors and alumni, our players, you can feel the intensity of the game," Addazio said during Monday's virtual weekly press conference.

They get coaches going, too. He's seen his share over the years – Florida vs. Florida State or Georgia; at Temple, it was Penn State; at Boston College, Notre Dame and Syracuse. The common theme in every rivalry is the emotion of the fan base, which will make Thursday's game at Canvas Stadium one of the most unique in the history of the set which was first played in 1899.

There will be no fans in the stands.

"I've been a part of rivalries, and I just love that emotion and that intensity," Addazio said. "The pandemic has unfortunately …. Fans are a part of that. That's the thing I think we'll miss, that the pageantry and the emotion of your fans just goes in it. I've learned how intense this rivalry really is and how important it really is. I've got a good feel for that."

For the players, the anticipation begins immediately, not when they arrive at the stadium for the game.

"It's an emotional everything," starting tackle and Colorado product Barry Wesley said. "Right after the game I was thinking about Fresno obviously wasn't a good game for us, but we've got to switch into that next mindset. For me, right after that game it was, I know what's coming and this whole week of preparation and everything is crucial. Practice each day, each rep, is important. I'd say it's both the week and the game. Both are completely different. Trying to prepare for it mentally, then it's different once you're actually in the game, that experience. With COVID, it's going to be completely different. You have fans screaming and yelling, but with this year … It's going to be interesting."

The Rams have not carried the Bronze Boot home after the past four meetings, leaving lingering feelings of frustration for the team, especially the upperclassmen who are running out of chances. Wesley tried to describe to Boston College transfer Cam Reddy what it is like to watch the Boot be carried away.

Defensive tackle Toby McBride said he's made teammates watch Wyoming celebrate in the past as motivation for the future. Like Wesley, once he was seated on the plane home, his mind drifted to the Border War.

"You can't just step into a rivalry game and turn it on game day," McBride said. "It has to be all week. It's been all season. We have a clock in our weight room counting down the days to kickoff versus Wyoming. This isn't even a one-week thing, it's been all offseason."

First Ram Ever

The NCAA allowed players to wear '0' this season for the first time, and McBride jumped at the chance, because in some ways, he has nothing lose.

Hampered by injuries throughout his career, he is feeling better than ever. That's a welcome change, and so is the jersey after wearing 97.

"I mean, why not?" he said. "That's kind of what I was thinking about it. Might as well do something new, coming back with a new coaching staff. I felt like this was a new year for me, being able to play with no injuries, being managed better, kind of need to have a break out season. Only a new number is going to help me do that."

Limited Numbers

Travel squads in the Mountain West are 74 players. Colorado State filled the plane, but only 45 Rams saw game action in the season opener at Fresno State, a byproduct of altered practice schedules and COVID-19 protocols.

Those are the players who Addazio felt were ready to play, and he's not sure if that will the case moving forward or not.

"I don't know what normal is, not to be a funny guy," Addazio said. "We had our offensive line quarantined for 14 days; the beat goes on. Those are the guys we felt were the most ready to play in that game, and that's about where my mind drifts now. I'm going week by week, game by game. I mean, I didn't know what the exact numbers were or who played what, but we're going to play who we think is most ready to play in any given game for the reasons that we think we have to play them."

Unusual View

After starting all 12 games as a true freshman and earning Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America and ESPN, Dante Wright was in an uncomfortable spot this past Thursday.

On his couch. Watching his team play.

"I didn't like it. I thought I should be there," Wright said. "I'm just happy to be back this week, and it's time to come out and play."

Both he and Ty McCulloch were held out because of contact-tracing protocols, which made the experience more frustrating for them both. Wright is coming off a season where he snared 57 catches for 805 yards and four touchdowns, adding 214 yards and two scores on 17 carries.

He averaged 96.2 yards in all-purpose yards a game in 2019, so naturally he was expected to be a major component for new offensive coordinator Joey Lynch. When Warren Jackson declared early for the NFL Draft, Wright's role become even more vital.

But only if he can play, and last week, he couldn't. Reading defenses in live action is one thing, doing it on the TV is altogether an awful feeling. From m the couch, they wanted to insert themselves into the action.

"Absolutely. I think both of us, we thought, we could be there right now making plays," Wright said. "That's just not how it goes. We just have to come back this week and be ready to play."

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results